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It's a lavish TV film of the classic Dickens tale. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a ruthless businessman and employer to Bob Cratchit. Scrooge rejects Christmas cheers and his nephew Fred Hollywell's invitation. That night, he's haunted by the spirit of his late business partner Jacob Marley who tells him about the impending visit by the three Ghosts of Christmas.

The great George C. Scott brings another level to Scrooge. He's not simply misery but also a ruthless businessman. The words "Greed is Good" come to mind. This is a better made than the usual TV production. This is cinematic. The sets are good looking. It's as compelling as any of the traditional A Christmas Carol and Scott is simply brilliant.

Christmas Carol, A (1984)

**** (out of 4)

George C. Scott plays Scrooge in this made for TV version of the classic Dickens story. I've seen quite a few of these films based on the famous story and I think this one here has become my favorite. This is an incredibly beautiful, eerie and very touching version of the story, which is pitch perfect from start to finish. What really separates this film from other versions is the terrific look, which really feels authentic and sets up the story well. Every single scene is full of wonderful detail and the colors, cinematography and lighting are perfect throughout. Another wonderful thing are the performances, which are all brilliant from Scott to the smallest person in the film. Scott really does a great job in the role and he perfectly captures the coldness of the character and he brilliantly pulls off the final act of his breakdown and new life. The supporting cast is equally great with Frank Finlay as Marley's Ghost, Angela Pleasence as Ghost of Christmas Past, Edward Woodward as Ghost of Christmas Present, David Warner and Susannah York as Bob Cratchit and his wife and Michael Gough as Mr. Poole. The film has an incredibly warm heart and captures the morals of the story very well but it's also quite creepy during the ghost sequences.

So this made for TV film scores only a 7.6 on this site? Bah! Humbug! Without question this 1984 version of Dickens' classic tale is the best ever made. And yes, the Hound has seen the 1951 version which was also good, but not good enough. The lack of color is perhaps the biggest shortcoming of that version, although the acting was wonderful.

George C. Scott is simply incredible as Ebenezer Scrooge. We all know the story of this stingy businessman who is haunted by the ghost of his dead partner, then by three other spirits later on that evening. Scott is properly gruff as Scrooge. Too gruff in fact for some critics who claim he is unable to project the new-found glee that he awakens to on Christmas morning after the spirits teach him a valuable lesson. But hey, this is George C. Scott. He's never going to go dancing down the street in a fit of joy. He has too much dignity, and his Scrooge projects his emotion in a realistic manner.

The supporting performances are uniformly excellent, as are the costumes, music, and scenery. 19th Century London comes to life in Clive Donner's visionary style. The film even borders on frightening in several scenes involving the spirits. The important tale of morality shines through in every frame, though.

You won't often find this version aired on television anymore, and that is a disappointment. The 1984 version of A Christmas Carol should be a required part of every household's celebration of the holiday. When the decorations come out of the basement, this film should find its way into the DVD player at least once during the season.

10 of 10 stars.

The Hound.

I know many people have a special fondness for the Alistair Sim version of Dickens' story, but for me, this 1984 version is the one to beat. My wife and I own a copy of this film on VHS, and we watch it together every Christmas Eve. I often remark that we could watch it on Halloween too, because it's a very creepy ghost story.

Scott--typecast as Scrooge--is shudderingly mean and nasty, making his transformation all the more miraculous and moving. I think it's up there with his performance in Patton. The spirits are all effective, each one creepier than the last. Watching the dark, floating, skeletal form of the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come sends shivers down my spine every year. And what a supporting cast! David Warner, in particular, is in top form as Bob Cratchit, as is Susannah York as his wife.

I seem to recall that this version sticks closer to the original story than most others--but I may be mistaken, as it's been several years since I read it. Regardless, this is a terrific Christmas classic.

Exceptional acting. George C. Scott's center stage personality wasn't overcoming nor weak. Rarely does a TV movie get so many points of movie artistry correct. Some camera movements were wobbly, however they were not objectionable. Family safe, some of the graveside scenes are a little dark, but not in visual or any language, just in a screeching sound with the last sprit. This story flows with the excellent editing and support actors. It is on my 5 movie list for the Christmas season. I have not seen this movie in the blue ray section, would consider the superior picture versus a typical DVD. Somehow I couldn't place the actress playing Mrs. Cratchet, her voice was familiar, Susannah York. Read in the IMDb she died of cancer, a real loss.